Victory – Instinct

Reviewed: November 2003Released: 2003, SPVRating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

Another classic band, another re-union, another shot at glory for Victory. Germany’s Victory despite some early and promising success in the US never fully lived up to the potential of their debut. They had a huge producer, big names in the band, big budget, big tour they had it all. After signing to a major in the US and heavy touring for whatever reasons, (likely still unknown to all but the band) Victory stumbled. Following were a succession of respected and appreciated albums all through the late 80’s and early 90’s but for whatever reason Victory’s success were confined to Europe.

An aborted and failed attempt at a comeback in 1996 led to along hiatus until now. The ‘classic line-up of Huhn, Newton, Frank, Knorn and Randow is back and INSTINCT is a fitting title for a CD that captures the original sound and spirit of this under-rated band.

A great mix of metal and melodic hard rock Victory have not lost that rock ‘n’ roll swagger especially on cuts like ‘Another Notch In The Bedpost’ and ‘Victorias Secrets’. The driving classic metal sound of the band is found in the double shot of track one and two, ‘Running Scared’ and ‘Plastic Hero’

Tommy Newton, obviously no stranger to a studio handled the production in his own studio in Germany and accordingly the sound is spot-on. The vocals of Huhn are as raw and rockin’ as ever and the rest of the band are accomplished musicians knowing when ‘not to play as much as knowing when to cut loose. Good songs, adequate lyrical fare, decent arrangements, punchy tempo, all hallmarks of a fun album.

I can’t help but imagine this will have a fairly limited appeal to anyone but original Victory fans but… back in the day the fans measured (myself included) tens of thousands strong, so I predict that they have what it takes to have one or two last kicks at the metal can and ride off into the sunset. After all, you don’t make it twenty years and have eleven releases (8 studio, a best of and two live CD’s) if you don’t have the Instinct for Victory!